Changeable sign exhibitor

ABSTRACT

A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF INTERCHANGABLE PLATES, EACH HAVING A KEYWORD USED FOR CONSTRUCTING A COMMUNICATIVE SENTENCE OR PHASE. THE DEVICE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IS DIRECTED TOWARD PROVIDING THE STANDED OCCUPANTS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN DISTRESS A WAY TO INTELLIGENTLY COMMUNICATE TO PASSERSBY THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

N v- 1971 E. w. PARISH, SR 3,623,254

CHANGEABLE SIGN EXHIBITOR Filed Jan. 8, 1970 FIG. 23

h w FIRST AID: I I AMBULANC POLICE M I l 14 j J LEI INVENTOR.

EDWARD W PAR/SH, 51?.

United States Patent 3,623,254 CHANGEABLE SIGN EXHIBITOR Edward W.Parish, Sr., 519 N. Highland St., Memphis, Tenn. 38122 Filed Jan. 8,1970, Ser. No. 1,518 Int. Cl. G09f 7/00 US. Cl. 40-129 C 11 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for supporting a plurality ofinterchangeable plates, each having a keyword used for constructing acommunicative sentence or phrase. The device of the present invention isdirected toward providing the stranded occupants of a motor vehicle indistress a way to intelligently communicate to passersby the extent andnature of the particular problem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This inventionrelates to sign exhibiting and more particularly, to changeableexhibitors having interchangeable plates.

('2) Description of the prior art The concept of suspending a pluralityof interchangeable plates, each having indicia thereon prevailed priorto the turn of the century as evidenced by the Heitzman Patent, No.381,472. Since that time, numerous inventions have been patented each ofwhich employ an interlocking system for suspending a plurality of platesin a vertical array. Such patents. that are known by applicant to existare: The Harding Patent No. 1,009,409; the Fetters Patent No. 1,418,144;the Meurisse Patent No. 1,467,140; the Fetters Patent No. 1,478,511; theFairbanks Patent No. 1,866,554 and the Hirschhorn Patent No. 2,509,059.Each of the above patents pertain to displaying advertising indiciawhich may be changed according to varying circumstances, i.e.,restaurant menus, different flavored ice cream, etc. The Falconbridge etal. Patent No. 3,455,044 pertains to a vehicle sign having a pluralityof leaves, each having indicia which may be displayed like the separatepages of a book, for placarding a truck, i.e., explosives or flammablematerial. The Dinstbir Patent No. 3,237,330 pertains to a warning devicefor vehicles which is intended to be attached to the horizontal surfaceof the dashboard portion of the vehicle and has indicia to remind thedriver of the vehicle to turn on and off the headlights of his vehicle,i.e., lights on. The Lawlor Patent No. 2,933,841 pertains to a highwaydistress signal which is mountable in conjunction with a vehicle windowfor conveying a message of distress on both faces thereof. None of theabove inventions can be considered to provide the stranded occupants. ofa motor vehicle in distress a suitable means to intelligentlycommunicate with the use of interchangeable plates, to passersby theextent and nature of the particular problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardsovercoming the heretofore-mentioned and other disadvantages in priordevices. The important feature of the present invention is that itprovides the occupants of a motor vehicle a means of communicating tothe passersby the extent and nature of their particular problem. Thewhite handkerchief tied to a door handle or radio antenna has merit as adistress signal but is ineffective in many respects, as was recognizedby the Lawlor Patent 2,933,841 which provided the stranded occupant ameans of conveying a Patented Nov. 30., 1971 specific message. Thepresent invention enables the stranded occupant to assemble a pluralityof plates having indicia thereon that collectively constructs a sentenceor phrase. For example, displaying the words Help Need Gas would prompta larger group of passersby to offer assistance because each motorist isprovided with the elements of the problem, enabling him to assess thesituation and determine has ability to render assistance. Likewise,displaying the words Help Need Doctor would prompt not only doctors andnurses to stop to render their professional assistance, but it alsowould convey the seriousness of the problem to other passersby, causingthem also to stop, assess the situation, inform the stranded occupant oftheir intentions which undoubtedly would include obtaining the properassistance in an expeditious manner.

The device is adapted to -be secured to the rear of vehicles, i.e., atruck, a station wagon or the opened end of a trunk deck lid of thetypical passenger car. In unusual situations, the device could be heldin the hands of a person standing along the highway or it may be tied toany object near the vehicle in distress, i.e., a telephone pole or thelike. The device of the present invention would also be extremelybeneficial to highway patrolmen or the like, enabling one police officerto perform the dual function of communicating to the approachingtraffic, e.g., Accident Drive Carefully or Danger Wreck Ahead CautionMerge Left and at the same time, be free to fully engage himself in theproblem.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a plurality of plateshaving different indicia thereon which comprise a set. The set includessufficient words which may be arranged so that collectively theyconstruct a sentence or phrase for communicating the nature ofsubstantially all anticipated situations involving the vehicle and itsoccupants. :A plurality of appropriate plates are selected from the setand are secured to the vehicle by a novel pair of holding straps. Theupper end of each strap is preferably secured to a smooth surface of thevehicle by a typical suction cup which is secured to each of the twostraps and the lower ends of the straps are secured by a string or thelike toconvenient appendage of the vehicle, e.g., the bumper or thelike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows the device of the presentinvention fully assembled, using only six of the plates and isprominently displayed on the rear of a 'vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the elongated holding strap.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the elongated holding strap taken as online IIIIII of FIG. 2-.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the assembled device with portionsbroken away.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the assembled device taken as on the lineVV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the annular locking clasp portion of theholding strap taken as on the line VIVI of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the annular locking clasp portion engagedaround the stud portion taken as on the line VIIVII of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device 11 of the presentinvention includes a plurality of interchangeable sign plates 13 eachhaving indicia or a key word 15 imprinted or otherwise provided on atleast one face thereof used collectively for constructing acommunicative sentence or phrase. The device 11 also includes a pair ofholding straps 17, 19 which support the plurality of plates 13 in avertical array and have removably attached at the upper ends thereof apair of typical suction cups 21, 23.

Each plate 13, having identical dimensions and four identically spacedholes 25 with one hold 25 adjacent each corner thereof, isinterchangeable with the other. The indicia 15 is preferably of a colorhaving a high contrast with the background and preferably has a highreflectorizing character of the incident lighting from oncomingheadlights. Thus, it presents a conspicuous and legible message duringthe hours of darkness and restricted visibility.

The two holding straps 17, 19, formed from a low density polyethyleneplastic or like substance having considerable resiliency, have identicalstructure and shape with the one strap 17 intended for the left side ofthe vehicle 27, as best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The other strap 19 isinverted for attachment to the right side of the vehicle '27. Since thestraps 17, 19 are identical in every respect, a detailed description ofthe strap 17 is intended to include the strap 19.

The elongated holding strap 17 includes the suction cup 21 which isremovably attached at the upper end thereof. A metallic threaded shankportion 29 is molded into the suction cup 21 at the one end with theother end of the shank 29 protruding through a suitable aperture 31adjacent the upper end of the strap 17 and is removably secured theretoby a knurled annular nut 33. The lower end of the strap 17 has anaperture 35 for receiving a string 37, or the like, which is used toanchor the lower end of the device 11 to any suitable appendage of thevehicle 27, such as a bumper 39, thus obviating a tendency for billowingor kiting due to strong wind currents. The strap 17 also includes aplurality of strapettes 41, the longitudinal axes of which areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strap 17. The strapettes41 are attached at one end to the same edge of the strap 17, preferablybeing molded concurrently therewith, at a uniformly interspaceddistance. Each strapette 41 has a pair of gussets 43, 45, preferablybeing molded concurrently therewith, which give added strength to theroot thereof. The strapettes 41 extend outwardly, substantially parallelone with the other, to an annular locking clasp 47, thence terminate ata protruding tab portion 49.

The locking clasps 47 have a hole 51 which is defined by a beveled orfrusto-conical surface substantially as depicted in FIGS. 2, 6. Eachclasp 47 forms one portion of a securing means or lock 52 and acorresponding stud 53 for each clasp 47 forms the other portion of lock52. The studs 53 are positioned at the converging center lines of theholding strap 17 and the strapettes 41. It should be understood that theinterspacing distance between adjacent studs 53 is equal to the spacingbetween the two holes 25 at the ends of the plates 13, with each plate13 having identical structure and spacing of holes 25. The stud 53protrudes outwardly from the surface of the strap 17 with thelongitudinal axis thereof being perpendicular to the plane of the strap17 and is bonded thereto, preferably being molded concurrentlytherewith.

Positioned intermediate the length of the stud 53, is an annular recess55 into which the clasp 47 is snapped, as will be better understood inthe description to follow, to constrain the locking clasp 47. The end ofthe stud 53 is rounded to facilitate receiving the locking clasp 47. Thehole 51, being beveled, has a large diameter 57 on the one side and asmall diameter 59 on the other. The strapettes 41, having considerableresiliency, may be doubled so that hole 51 may be forced to encircle thestud 53. The locking clasp 47, having been made with the large diameter57 first encountering the stud 53 when the strapette 41 is doubled,frictionally grips the stud 53. The large diameter 57 of the lockingclasp 47 substantially equals the diameter of the stud 53 and the smalldiameter 59 substantially equals the reduced diameter of the annularrecess 55, The inward taper of the walls of the hole 51 permits theclasp 47 to easily slip over the rounded end of the stud 53, thusexpanding the small diameter 59 until reaching its locking position asshown in FIG. 7. Conversely, the clasp 47 does not so readily move fromthe locked position because the small diameter 59 first encounters thesharp rising wall of the annular recess 55, thus providing a positivelocking device. The tab portion 49 facilitates disengaging the clasp 47from the stud 53. This is easily accomplished by gripping the tabportion 49 between the thumb and finger and applying a lifting force.

The device 11 would preferably be carried at all times in the vehicle27. When an incident develops that would create a necessity fordisplaying the device 11, the user would select from the set of plates13 the appropriate words 15 which collectively convey the most desirablemessage. The two straps 17, 19 are arranged substantially parallel witheach other so that the strapettes 41 are directed outwardly and thesuction cups 21, 23 are at the uppermost ends thereof. The appropriatestuds 53 are inserted through the apertures 25 in each plate 13 so thatthe plates 13 overlay the straps 17, 19 as best viewed in FIG. 4. Eachof the intermediate plates 13 have a margin overlapping the adjacentplate 13, accordingly, each stud 53 has sutficient length to receive twoplates 13, as heretofore described, the strapettes 41 are doubled backover the end of each plate 13 and the locking clasp 47 is forced overthe stud 53 until the small diameter 59 encircles the recess 55 to lockthe plates in place. The device 11 is then preferably secured to therear of the vehicle. However, certain situations may dictate otherwise,e.g., attaching the device 11 to a telephone pole, etc. Assuming thepreferred method of securing the device 11 is appropos, the suction cups21, '23 are pressed on any smooth surface of the vehicle, i.e., on therear glass of station wagons or the like and on the smooth surface of anopened truck deck lid of a typical sedan-type vehicle, the object beingto erect the plane of the plates 13 in a substantially verticalposition. The two strings 37, or the like, are tied to suitableappendage, such as the bumper 39, thus preventing billowing or kitingfrom strong wind currents.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is notto be so limited since changes and modifications may be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a vehicle of a message exhibitor comprising apair of straps, a pair of mounting means respectively attached to saidstraps adjacent the upper ends thereof mounting said straps on a vehiclewith said straps depending from said mounting means in parallel spacedapart relationship, a plurality of plates each having indicia on atleast one face thereof, said plates being arranged in a vertical rowwith the indicia thereon collectively providing a message from theoccupants of said vehicle to passersby and with the opposite ends ofeach of said plates respectively being contiguous with said straps, eachof said plates being provided with apertures adjacent said straps, aplurality of lock means respectively attached to said straps andextending through said apertures in said plates for removably securingsaid plates to said straps.

2. A sign exhibitor comprising a pair of straps, a pair of mountingmeans respectively attached to said straps adjacent the upper endsthereof for mounting said straps on a vehicle or the like with saidstraps depending from said mounting means in parallel spaced apartrelationship, a plurality of plates each having indicia on at least oneface thereof, said plates being arranged in a vertical row with theindicia thereon collectively providing a message and with the oppositeends of each of said plates respectively being contiguous with saidstraps, each of said plates being provided with apertures adjacent saidstraps, a plurality of lock means respectively attached to said strapsand extending through said apertures in said plates for removablysecuring said plates to said straps; each of said lock means including astud attached to a said strap and projecting forwardly therefrom througha said aperture, and a resilient clasp having a hole therethrough, saidclasp being removably fitted over said stud on the outside of a saidplate with said stud extending through said hole to retain said plate onsaid stud.

3. The sign exhibitor of claim 2 in which said stud is provided with anannular recess into which said clasp is removably received.

4. The sign exhibitor of claim 3 in which said hole in said clasp isdefined by a frusto-conical surface with the large diameter thereofbeing substantially the same as the diameter of said stud and the smalldiameter thereof being substantially the same as the diameter of saidannular recess.

5. The sign exhibitor of claim 4 in which is included a plurality offlexible strappettes respectively joining said clasps with one of saidstraps, and in which each of said strapettes includes a tab portion atthe distal end thereof.

6. The sign exhibitor of claim 2 in which each of said mounting meansincludes a suction cup.

7. The sign exhibitor of claim 2 which includes means attached to thelowermost one of said plates for holding down the lower end of said signexhibitor.

8. A sign exhibitor comprising a pair of flexible straps, suction cupmeans respectively attached to said straps adjacent the upper endsthereof for mounting said straps on a vehicle or the like with saidstraps depending from said suction cup means in parallel spaced apartrelationship, a plurality of plates each having at least one word on atleast one face thereof; said plates being arranged in a vertical rowwith adjacent edges thereof being in overlapping relationship with thewords thereon collectively providing a message, and with the oppositeends of said plates overlapping said straps; each of said plates beingprovided with four apertures, two on each end of said plates through theportions thereof overlapping said straps; the apertures on the ends ofsaid plates being spaced apart the same distance and at least oneaperture on each end of ,said plates being in alignment with an apertureon an adjacent plate, a plurality of studs attached to said straps andprojecting outwardly therefrom, said studs being spaced along saidstraps the same distance apart as the apertures on the ends of saidplates, said studs respectively extending through said apertures, eachof said studs being provided with an annular recess, a plurality offlexible strapettes respectively attached to said straps adjacent saidstuds and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a plurality ofresilient clasps respec- 6 tively provided on said strapettes remotefrom said straps, each of said clasps having a hole therein, saidstrapettes being respectively doubled back towards said straps and saidclasps being respectively received over said studs with said studsrespectively extending through said holes to removably lock said platesin place on said straps.

9. The sign exhibitor of claim 8 in which said stud is provided with anannular recess into which said clasp is removably received.

10. The sign exhibitor of claim 9 in which said hole in said clasp isdefined by a frusto-conical surface with the large diameter thereofbeing substantially the same as the diameter of said stud and the smalldiameter thereof being substantially the same as the diameter of saidannular recess.

11. A sign exhibitor comprising a pair of flexible straps, suction cupmeans respectively attached to said straps adjacent the upper endsthereof for mounting said straps on a vehicle or the like with saidstraps depending from said suction cup means in parallel spaced apartrelationship, a plurality of plates each having at least one word on atleast one face thereof; said plates being arranged in a vertical rowwith adjacent edges thereof being in overlapping relationship with thewords thereon collectively providing a message, and with the oppositeends of said plates overlapping said straps; each of said plates beingprovided with four apertures, two on each end of said plates through theportions thereof overlapping said straps; the apertures on the ends ofsaid plates being spaced apart the same distance and at least oneaperture on each end of said plates being in alignment with an apertureon an adjacent plate, a plurality of studs attached to said straps andprojecting outwardly therefrom, said studs being spaced along saidstraps the same distance apart as the apertures on the ends of saidplates, said studs respectively extending through said apertures, andmeans engaging said studs for preventing accidental removal of saidstuds from said apertures.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 574,584 1/1897 Slaten 40128811,008 1/1906 Wallech 40l24 1,009,409 11/ 1911 Harding 40128 2,278,6954/1942 Fluss 40-4221- 2,509,059 5/1950 Hirschhorn 40-128 2,939,2346/1960 Hill 40-124 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner W. I. CONTRERAS,Assistant Examiner

